System and method for distributing instant win games

ABSTRACT

This invention introduces a new system and method for distributing, selling, and playing scratch-off type games and any other similar instant win games that are currently distributed in the form of carton cards. The system and method is based on utilizing computerized game machines equipped with touch sensitive screens and optionally remote communication medium such as the Internet and optionally a game server. This system enables for distributing and selling the games in a virtual (software) manner, and for playing the games directly on the screen of the game terminal by utilizing its touch sensing feature. It also displays the result directly on the game terminal screen and may print them out through a printing device.

BENEFITS OF THE INVENTION

The touch screen feature is exploited in this invention to eliminate the need for distributing actual physical cards made of carton, paper, or other materials. This also eliminate the need for a bulky game vending machine and replaces it with a much smaller computer device with a touch screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an instant win game distributing system with a locally saved games database, connected via a Wide Area Network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the instant win game system of FIG. 1 without a locally saved games database;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the instant win game system with a locally saved games database, connected via a Local Area Network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the instant win game system of FIG. 3 without a locally saved games database;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a game terminal of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a stand-alone game terminal with onsite games loading according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a stand-alone game terminal with self-generated games according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides systems and methods for distributing instant win games and particularly games that require scratching off a surface of a game card to reveal information and results, with computerized game terminals equipped with touch screens.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 2, schematic illustrations of instant win game distributing (IWGD) systems 10 and 20 that are networked via a Wide Area Network (WAN) are shown according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The IWGD systems 10 and 20 may include a plurality of game terminals 12 and 22 respectively, at least one game server 14 with its database 15, and a remote communication medium, for example, the WAN 16, as an Internet or any other suitable networking platform. The game server 14 may be maintained by a game provider or an authorized third party. Game terminals 12 and 22 may be distributed at sales locations for a customer's use. The game terminals 12 and 22 may be connected to the game server(s) via the WAN 16. The games or virtual game cards may be distributed (downloaded) from the game server(s) 14 to the game terminals 12 and 22 in one of two methods.

In a first method employing the IWGD systems 10, the games or virtual game card batches may be preloaded to each of the connected game terminals 12. The game terminal 12 may host its loaded games or virtual game cards in its local database 18. A game software (not shown) on the game terminal 12 may present the loaded games to a customer to select from. The customer may purchase a desired game and may play the game directly on a touch screen 13 of the game terminal 12.

In a second method employing the IWGD systems 20, the games or virtual game cards may reside in a database 15 of the game server 14. A game terminal 22 may not host games; rather the games may be downloaded from the game server 14. A game software (not shown) of the game terminal 22 may provide all the necessary functions for the customer to select, purchase and play the game directly on a touch screen 13 of the game terminal 22.

Referring now to the FIGS. 3 and 4, schematic illustrations of IWGD systems 30 and 40 that are networked via a Local Area Network (LAN) 17 are shown according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Architecture and operation of the IWGD systems 30 and 40 may be identical to the IWGD systems 10 and 20 with the only exception the IWGD systems 30 and 40 may be employing the LAN 17 for a communication medium.

Referring now to the FIG. 5, schematic illustration of the game terminals 12 & 22 are shown. The game terminal 12 & 22 may include a computer 50 with the touch screen 13. The game software 51 may be hosted on the computer 50. The internal mass storage devices 57 may store all the necessary data. The game terminal 12 may have its database 18 hosted on the mass storage device 57. A payment device 58 and a printing device 59 may be coupled to the computer 50 to receive payments and to print out payment receipts. A communication port 42 may connect to the WAN 16 or the LAN 17 communication mediums. The computer 50 may be equipped with an optional data transfer port 44, for example, a USB port.

The game software 51 may connect to the game server 14 to download games, to present game categories, prices, options, and etc. The game software 51 may display game and card images to the user to select from on the touch screen to play and it may provide instructions how to play the games. The game software 51 may include a touch screen processing algorithm 52, a payment processing algorithm 53 and a game processing algorithm 54, which may exploit the touch screen 13 to simulate scratching effects on an image of the game card and to allow playing the game directly on the touch screen 13.

Referring now to the FIGS. 6 and 7, schematic illustrations of stand-alone game terminals 60 & 70 are shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. If the Internet, public communication networks or a private network are unavailable, the IWGD systems may be implemented by employing stand-alone game terminals 60 & 70 without the game servers 14 and the communication networks WAN 16 or LAN 17. The games may be hosted or generated by the game terminals 60 & 70 respectively. The game terminals 60 & 70 in most respect may be identical to the game terminal 50 with the following exceptions. The game terminals 60 & 70 may lack a telecommunication port. A game generation algorithm 56 may be integrated with the game terminal software 51 in the game terminal 70. Thus the game terminal 70 may generate its own range of games or virtual game cards according to a predefined algorithm. In game terminal 60 games may be loaded onsite as needed via data port 44 or media/disk 46.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A system for distributing instant win games, comprising: at least one game server; a database hosted on at least one said game server; a remote communication medium; a plurality of game terminals coupled to the said game server via the said remote communication medium; a touch screen attached to each said game terminal adapted to allow a customer to play the instant win game; a game software adapted to present game choices, images, and payment options, and to utilize the said touch screen to present graphics and animations and to sense user interactions to select, purchase, and play instant win games; a graphics animation algorithm in said game software that translates user interaction on the touch screen into animated simulation of scratch effect on the displayed game image; and a printing device attached to each game said terminal adapted to print purchase receipts, game cards, and game result or winning voucher. 